Our say: Paul Sarbanes' quiet leadersip will be missed

PAUL SARBANES is a walking refutation of cliches about Washington politicians. He's quiet and thoughtful instead of loud and opportunistic. He makes sure he knows what he's talking about before he opens his mouth. He doesn't lunge toward open microphones or momentarily unused TV cameras. Respected by his colleagues on Capital Hill for judiciousness and depth of knowledge, he has also been mocked as a "stealth senator" and "the invisible senator."

Yet he's the longest-serving U.S. senator in Maryland history, and has never lost an election. That says something good about Mr. Sarbanes and about Marylanders.

Mr. Sarbanes...